By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: INSPIRING VALEDICTORIAN HOPE“
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 4:7-8
“[7]I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8]Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
REFLECTIONS
To be a valedictorian is a great joy and a reward for hard and dedicated work. During graduation exercises, valedictorians are often given a standing ovation and a special recognition for their sacrifices to achieve their illustrious feats. Loud and clear, Christian victors will be valedictorians in heaven’s graduation ceremony. Those called will be people of class, distinguished and dedicated, with a spirit of endurance and perseverance, trusting and following their Lord and Master. Undoubtedly, they will be like Him – Jesus Christ.
A valedictorian possesses the zeal to work towards a clear vision, understand one’s purpose in life, and work unreservedly towards the goal. Paul is one of the best examples of valedictorians among humans. From the moment he was called on his way to Damascus (Acts 9) until his death, he worked to fulfill his assigned mission. He endured deprivation, persecution, stoning, imprisonment, and shipwreck with a decisive goal in sight – to win Christ. In all his afflictions, God stood by him and delivered him.
Having accomplished a decent, God-centered, Christ-led, and Spirit-filled ministry, Paul boldly and confidently announced in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “[6]For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7]I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8]Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Knowing how difficult and dicey the battle against Satan is, Paul admonished: “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”- Verse 5. This is an appropriate counsel because someone like Demas, a companion of Paul, succumbed to the world and lost his elevated position in the faith (verse 10). Meditate on what he says in Ephesians 6:10-18 about our spiritual warfare and how to emerge victorious. What will be your valedictory speech? Every effort in the Lord is massively rewarded. Victory in every sphere of human life is in Christ. Strive to win Christ. Maintain your faith in Him for victory.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 108 – “Amazing Grace”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His provisions for your salvation; thank God for calling you into a relationship with Him; pray to make your salvation sure;
– Pray for preachers, evangelists, and Bible workers who sacrifice to get the gospel message to the unreached; pray for people who have lost their faith;
– Pray for victims of ongoing wars – remember the children, women, the elderly, differently-abled persons; pray for humanitarian agencies and their staff;
– Pray for the nation’s peace and prosperity, release from socio-economic hardships, leaders who serve, and unity; pray for those seeking healing and comfort for bereaved families.
